Description
These festive Holiday Dessert Bites are colorful, buttery shortbread squares speckled with multi-colored nonpareils. Perfect for celebrations and easy to make, they offer a sweet, crunchy treat with a delicate almond flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 teaspoons multi-colored nonpareils
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and prepare an 8-inch square baking pan by lining it with plastic wrap, leaving a 1-inch overhang for easy removal later. Set aside.
- Make The Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, sugar, and almond extract. Beat on medium speed until creamy, scraping the sides regularly for even mixing. Then, reduce the speed to low and add the flour and salt, mixing until everything is well incorporated. Finally, stir in the multi-colored nonpareils to evenly distribute the sprinkles throughout the dough.
- Form And Cut: Knead the dough gently in the bowl 4 to 5 times until it forms a cohesive ball. Next, pat the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, using the plastic wrap to help lift and press the dough into an even layer. Once spread, lift the entire dough from the pan using the plastic wrap.
- Shape The Bites: Place the dough onto a clean surface and cut it into 1/2-inch squares. Arrange the squares on ungreased cookie sheets, spacing them about 1/2 inch apart. Discard the plastic wrap used earlier.
- Bake The Cookies: Bake the dough squares in the preheated oven for 13 to 15 minutes or until the bottoms just begin to brown lightly. Remove from oven and allow them to cool completely before serving. Enjoy your festive holiday bites!
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted to achieve the perfect dough consistency.
- Using plastic wrap helps to easily remove and transfer the dough without sticking.
- Do not overbake, or the shortbread can become too hard and lose its delicate texture.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- You can substitute almond extract with vanilla extract if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: holiday dessert, shortbread bites, almond extract cookies, festive cookies, colorful sprinkles, easy holiday treats
